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Now, Microsoft's business is not to control the platform per se, but in fact to allow it to be exploited by the world's developers.

Let me count the ways!

Don't forget the fastest growing exploit

Now, Microsoft's business is not to control the platform per se, but in fact to allow it to be exploited by the world's developers.

Let me count the ways!

Don't forget the fastest growing exploit

1) http://www.avast.com/
2) http://www.acronis.com/

I use Avast for my anti-virus/spyware needs and, for home use, it is absolutely free. Not only is Avast free, but it has a lower memory footprint than McAfee, Symantec, Panda, and others. Unlike the aforementioned, I do not notice any appreciable performance changes. I remember trying McAfee and my system became less responsive. Thus far, Avast has stopped everything thrown at it.

Although they may hold on to the enterprise market, why even bother with Norton AntiVirus or Internet Security when you can get Avast AntiVirus Personal edition for free! http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html/

No, I don't work for them, or own stock. They've even updated it for Vista. The cost? Register for a free serial number every 14 months.

Comodo firewall http://www.comodo.com/ is nice free step up for those who think they need something more than Windows firewall.

In the year 2007, there is really no need for a consumer to pay for a product from Symantec/Norton, McAfee, or any other security software vendor that has been fleecing us for the last several years.

If you are looking for a good, freely available antivirus application for Windows, check out Avaste. I have been using Avast for almost two years without a false positive and it has a much smaller memory foot-print than McAfee or Symantec. By far, it is the best antivirus application I have ever seen. Plus, it is free for home use and does not install any kind of ad or spyware. It is honest to god free.

although the only antivirus offering compatible with Vista as of now if from TrendMicro.

Can't say I'm particularly happy about this (breaking security in the name of security? Could even OneCare touch the kernel before this?),

They've made is so that it's impossible for anybody but MS to make a proper virus scanner.

They *arent* stopping the need for this software, just making it harder for the competition.

Windows OneCare is not built into Windows Vista and must be bought seperatly. You can thank Symantec for that. The only thing that is integrated into Vista is Windows Defender, which the AV companies will probably sue MS over, and I can bet that both OneCare and Defender use the same protocol that MS is telling the AV vendors to use.

As For The Competition that MS is trying to "Screw"...
Trend Micro runs on Vista
Computer Associates runs on Vista
Avast runs on Vista
Sophos Runs on Vista
AVG Runs on Vista
Mcafee runs on vista
Symantec runs on vista

all other security vendors won't be able to run properly.

Trend Micro runs on Vista
Computer associates runs on Vista
Avast runs on Vista
AVG Runs on Vista
Mcafee runs on vista
Hell, Symantec runs on vista

Norton's Personal versions have lost interest to me. They put so much into making the product pretty, easy, and slow as christmas, But that doesn't necessarily mean that Symantec is a bad choice. I won't ever own their Personal editions anymore, but I love their Corporate edition. Now, as a normal user, I can understand that nobody wants to pay the money for a corporate edition just to use on a single computer, but the place where I work expanded the purchase license for norton's corporate edition so that users can install a copy at their residence. I know the Military does this, and I know there's quite a few large companies that do as well. Anyone beyond that, I usually suggest something like winclam or avast

for XP. Of course, you also had to buy antivirus software,

muck with popup blockers

and get a spyware removal tool if you were using XP

I had my own run-in with a Norton false positive. For some reason, my newly acquired copy of NAV took exception to a file on my desktop called "Norton Antivirus 2003 keygen.exe". IIRC it labelled it as "malware\keygen". I checked the file with several web AV tools and it was clean. What could the problem have been?

P.s., Avast FTW!

Avast has a working AV solution for windows vista beta

For what it's worth, I have ZERO faith in CA. My one brush with their products has tarnished my opinion of them forever. I think they're completely inept.

While writing an article comparing small\medium business spyware solutions I installed a trial of eTrust Pest Patrol Corporate. Their crappy demo detected spyware (that none of the 4 other products detected, suspiciously) but informed me that only the pay version would remove it. I uninstalled the product but the eTrust right-click dialogs remained in Explorer. I called their tech support and they said they don't support product demos. I eventually found the registry key pertaining to the Explorer extension, emailed the info to them, and chewed them out.

I suspect CA is in the business of FUD, including spreading FUD about its competitors. Then again, nearly the whole antivirus industry is that way. Free clients ftw!!

If anyone cares, I blogged about the history of Norton\Symantec and how they've made a successful business with their increasingly inferior products.

I've been burned by every single antimalware product I've tried, at least once, except for Avast ( http://www.avast.com/ ) versions 4 and up. I have never, ever, had a problem with Avast, on a horrible variety of machines and platforms, even cases where the machine had 500+ infestations during installation.

I have seen numerous badly infected machines "protected" by the free AVG. Used McAfee, Norton (you can get if free in the Google Pack http://pack.google.com/) and AntiVir on Windows. AntiVir has an annoying auto update - it has a popup that runs whenever there is an update, and it shuts down protection just to install definition updates. Very intrusive. I ended up choosing Avast! http://www.avast.com/ after trying it on Windows XP 64 bit. Good interface, great protection, no annoying popups - a small, semi-transparent popup in the lower right corner to let you know when an update has been installed, very unobtrusive. The only annoying thing with it is the alarm and warning when a virus is detected - easy to change the settings, but startling the first time.

Productivity
- Dirkey - Free small utility that enables you to place invisible bookmarks on folders and go back to these bookmarked folders with shortcut key. It runs on startup and can be set to be invisible in your system tray. Works in Explorer and also Open/Save dialogue windows.
- ObjectDock - Free OSX-style dock for your PC!
- Windows Blinds - Skin your OS
- MS Alt-tab Powertoy - Alt-tab across open applications with an thumbnail preview of the open application.

Graphics
- Paint.Net - Free image editing program

Utilities (spam, anti-virus, FTP etc)
- Avast Antivirus - Free and better than AVG

Avast anti-virus: AVG is becoming a real piece, finding much better results with this program. Firefox: nuff said Thunderbird: again, it sells itself FileZilla: for FTP goings-on Nero: for doing CD/DVD burning OpenOffice: Still wish OO had full Access support, but it's the best we can do. iTunes: But you should know this already 7-zip: handles all your zip/rar/tar.gz/ file needs GoogleDesktop: to do all those widgety type things Acrobat Reader: stock install TextPad: Much richer than Notepad, and will even do some Java compiling, if that's your thing. Paint.Net: Beats the hell out of MSPaint, and you don't have to pay PhotoShop prices.

I moved to Avast! at home. It's free for non-commercial use and was named the best Anti-Virus on the market by SC Magazine. All that marketing jazz aside... I like the program quite a bit, as it also adds a simple-to-use interface for recovering from problems. Trend Micro has slightly faster response times to viruses in the wild, but Avast is darn close... much better than McAf.

Avast. AVG is fine, but Avast is awsome!
http://www.avast.com/

Superior? I'm lucky enough to have a cable line, which I send through my router/firewall, and then of course have Windows's built-in firewall on (I'm sure it sucks, but hell, even you are probly using it), and I run Avast 4 (Home edition is free to, well, home users), Spybot, and Microsoft Anti-spyware (I know they suck, and they're gonna shaft the anti-spyware "beta" once they re-release it as "Windows Defender" with OneCare (they strong armed the "Defender" name offa another product, but thats another story))

You know why I use that stuff? cus it works AND its free (as in free beer) - and you know what else? I dont get hit with jack shit. For all the claims AOL makes about broadband being *more* dangerous /* chuckles to self - what a bunch of nut jobs */ I find their claims a bunch of bullshit, but thats just me anyway - if you seriously meant what you said "AOL has a better security suite", you have 2.5 choices

1.A) Go right on ahead and let em keep screwing you in the ass
1.B) Get yourself into a mental ward
2) Even if you stick with dial-up, switch to some other ISP

I'm surprised no one mentioned it before.

PM

Hello,

A bit of searching came up with the following free or trial versions of anti-virus programs which are capable of detecting and removing Win32/MyWife (née CME-24):

Alwil - Avast! 4 Home Edition (free for personal non-commercial use)
ESET - NOD32 trial version (30-day evaluation)
Grisoft - AVG Free Edition (free for personal non-commercial use)
Kaspersky Lab - Anti-Virus Personal 5.0 (30-day evaluation)
McAfee - VirusScan (30-day evaluation)
Microsoft - Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) (free)
Panda - Titanium Antivirus 2006 (30-day evaluation)
Sophos - Anti-Virus (30-day evaluation)
Symantec - W32.Blackmal@mm Removal Tool (free)
Trend Micro - PC-cillin Trial Version (30-day evaluation)

I'm certain other readers will look up and post links to additional vendors, too. Ob-disclaimer: I happen to work for one of the companies listed above, so there.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Avast is free, has daily automatic updates, and reportably runs on Vista beta
Almost makes me want to run Microsoft Windows again.

Avast is free, has daily automatic updates, and reportably runs on Vista beta
Almost makes me want to run Microsoft Windows again.

Avast! Anti-virus detects many spyware/adware threats by the way. I've been using it to combat spyware/adware and it seems to work well.

No. Don't promote McAfee - promote Avast (http://www.avast.com./ It's free, auto-updating, and doesn't grab as much of your system resources.

I use the (free) personal edition of Avast.

I myself would sugest Avast, I've never had an issue with it. Though I haven't used AVG for years it could have changed, back then it wasn't looking to good.

Found a link to avast! on a Slashdot comment. Switched from Symantec's own demo version preinstalled on my PC (thanks for the time). Never looked back.

The only nags I get now (which can be switched off) are those of automatic daily updates. For me, that's a Good Thing®.

Demos are nice. Free stuff is better. Hunt down freedom whereever it hides (and I don't mean domestic spying ;) ).

One site (maybe one of ebaumsworld's ads, I believe--I won't link there) tried to do something with it. avast! alerted me with its usual "Caution. A virus has been detected" sound and "abort connection" dialog and all of that. Don't know if it succeeded (nothing unusual now, though my browser did show a naughtier site instead that time; I visited a few times again and it showed my intended site as usual, with much less naughtiness)

http://www.avast.com/ Just one more reason to stick with the free (as in beer) stuff.

The free ones that work the best are AVG, AntiVir (Classic, Premium isn't free) and Avast!. I currently use AVG but the new version of AntiVir is supposed to work better and have a smaller footprint.

I worked at a computer repair shop at one point, and my SOP is very similar, although I typically run HijackThis earlier in the process (Before removing programs), and I include - if necessary - some passes with other programs.

Worst-case Scenario:
1) Kill all unecessary processes manually (if able)
2) Run MSCONFIG and disable unecessary startup processes (if able)
3) Run Spybot S&D (if able)
4) Run HijackThis
5) Install Avast! AV and updates, and schedule a boot-time scan (if able)
6) Uninstall/manually remove unecessary applications
7) Reboot
8) Repeat all setps 1-6 which did not work the first time
9) Run Spybot S&D (again)
10) Install and configure Firefox with Adblock extension.
11) Install and configure SpywareBlaster
12) Lock Down IE
13) Reboot
14) Manually clean up any remnants with the help of HijackThis
15) Install and configure Kerio PF

It takes longer than is typically necessary of a simple cleanup, but so far I haven't run into anything that couldn't be fixed in such a manner. Most importantly however, it doesn't cost a dime. I keep both a USB flash drive and a CD on hand with all of the programs and updates I need as well as some other fallback programs (some pre-installed directly on the CD/flash drive), so if the infected machine is unable to connect for downloads/updates it won't slow me down. It also helps that IE is not needed when loading everything from the CD or flash drive.

Of all the machines I have used this on, only those of the incedibly stupid have had problems resurface, while most have run clean for a year or more. I use the same preventative measures on my own PC and have never picked up any spyware/malware.

I use Avast! Antivirus and Zonealarm on my Win2000 computer, and Avast! Antivirus and Windows Firewall on my XP. It is a free download (you have to do a free registration every 15 months) and it works wonders. I was having major problems with Norton, so I searched online and found it, and installed it and liked it better. I dropped Norton even though I had 6 months of updates left on my account.

http://www.avast.com/

Look for Home Edition.

They also sell Professional solutions and server solutions (including Linux and BSD Antivirus solutions for mail servers). The Pro version is for businesses and has more advanced features than the Home version, but for a regular home user, Avast Home Edition, a decent firewall and a decent spyware application works really well.

AVAST is so much better.

Well there always is Avast antivirus.

OK, so we have a bunch of ignorant users who either don't know or don't care about this problem. I've always wondered if there was a good use for an Internet chain letter, and I think I've finally found one. Just send the following message to your favorite ignorant user. Maybe if this spreads, people will be so afraid that they'll actually clean their systems. Or at least we'll get to watch them squirm.

Subj: WARNING!!! Get rid of viruses or go to jail!!!

Please read this message! It is extremely important! It might even keep you out of jail!!!

You've probably heard about all the computer viruses that have been spreading like wildfire in the past few years. What you probably haven't heard is what they've been doing to the computers they infect. They've been turning these computers into "zombie computers" that can be controlled over the Internet to send spam, to attack other computers and Web sites, and to spread "phishing scams" to trick people into turning over credit card and bank account information to criminals. These infected computers are grouped into "botnets" and rented out to do the dirty work of whoever is willing to pay, often spammers, extortionists, and other criminal gangs located here and overseas in places like Russia, China, and Eastern Europe. AND YOUR COMPUTER COULD BE A ZOMBIE WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING IT! RIGHT NOW, EVEN AS YOU READ THIS, YOUR COMPUTER COULD BE CHURNING OUT SPAM OR PERFORMING MANY OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES!!!

This isn't just a minor problem. In fact, it's gotten so bad that THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL SOON START PROSECUTING PEOPLE WITH INFECTED COMPUTERS!

In a recent Senate committee hearing, Dept. of Homeland Security secretary Tom Ridge said, "The attacks these infected computers can launch has become a matter of national security. We've tried and tried to educate people to run antivirus software to keep their computers free of these viruses, but it appears they aren't listening. I hate the idea of having to start prosecuting ordinary Americans for this, but we don't have many options left."

Ridge went on to say that DHS wants to give people time to get these viruses off their computers, so they plan to wait until Tuesday, September 6, 2005 before they start filing charges.

So, you have until TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 (the day after Labor Day) to clean your computer of viruses. Otherwise, YOU COULD BE PROSECUTED!!!

BUT DON'T PANIC! Cleaning your computer is easy, and you don't even have to shell out any money to do it. Several antivirus companies have stepped up to the plate to help people meet this important deadline by offering free antivirus software.

AVG Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/

avast!
http://www.avast.com/eng/down_home.html

AntiVir Personal Edition Classic
http://www.free-av.com/

Even Microsoft has put up a site with links to free antivirus software from several companies.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/w indows2000/antivirus.mspx

If you don't have time to download and install antivirus software right now, several antivirus companies have even put up sites to do a quick scan and clean any viruses they find. THEY DON'T REPLACE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE, but they will let you quickly clean your computer until you can get software installed.

Trend Micro
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Symantec
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?pro ductid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym

McAfee
http://us.mcafe

NAV is by far the worst anti-virus program out there; as you've seen, it's horrendously slow and buggy. Some of the corporate versions are apparently OK but the consumer ones all suck. Even McAfee is better than NAV, and that's not saying much.

The free-for-home-use AVG is actually surprisingly fast and the similarly free-for-home-use Avast!, while slightly slower isn't nearly as slow as Norton, has a wide feature set, doesn't get in the way too often, has a smart background auto-update feature for dialup users and works on AMD64 Windows. I use the latter.

My friends that still use windows swear by avast, and say it catches a lot of things that AVG misses.

Presumably they think that everyone here knows how to keep a Windows PC clean (it's pretty trivial, especially for someone who claims they can use FreeBSD). But, on the offchance that you're not a troll, here goes:

There are 2 tricks to using antispyware products. The first is to keep them updated. And the second it to run them in Safe Mode so that the malware can't repair itself while you're deleting it. If AdAware and Spybot can't help, try installing Microsoft Antispyware - it's actually surprisingly good. Alternatively you might need a virus scanner instead of a spyware sweeper - Avast is good and free, as is AVG.

Once you're clean, the important thing is to not get infected again. Always use a firewall (the one that comes with Windows is good enough), and deploy it before you connect to the Internet for the first time. Even (especially!) while you install the security patches. Keep Windows up to date, and don't use insecure programs like IE or Outlook Express. And for God's sake don't open any unsolicited attatchments, or dodgy executables you find on P2P or warez sites.

Avast Home Edition - Free for personal use. This stuff works like magic. You *do* have to register in order to get a registration code but it is definitely worth it.

I've actually used this software to fix problems that McAfee couldn't (the boot time scan is not possible with McAfee).

I had a similar problem.

A friend's computer was so badly infected with various kinds of malware that it had almost no spare cycles left for actual work.

I tried all the usual approaches, asked for help on the free PC support sites, downloaded and ran every anti-spyware that I could lay my hands on but still couldn't remove everything.

Then I removed the ineffective Norton AntiVirus from the machine and installed the free avast! 4 Home Edition.
It restarted the machine, cleaned up everything, restarted again and no problems so far.

I have been promoting users to use the same tools for a while with the exception of AVG.(I use free AVAST and I do use these tools on my windows machines. One correction, to get free AVG virus protection, goto this site, on main site it is hard to find the free version.

Most of the virus infections I've dealt with on friends' and acquaintances' Windows PCs have occured on boxes running (yes, you've guessed it) Norton Antivirus. I routinely uninstall Norton and replace it with Avast! Personal Edition.

Some antivirus vendors have yet to catch on to the idea that virus patterns need updating on a daily or more frequent basis. So along comes a new Bagle variant, which is yet to be detected by Norton, and the first thing it does is kill Norton's on-access scanner.

You did fine. The days when "Norton" products were any good are long past by. They seem to have him stuffed in position with arms crossed for the photos alone these days.

I would reccomend Avast! antivirus - uses a fraction of the resources of NAV200x, and works quite better too, IMHO. The difference in performance after replacing NAV for A! on my mother's PC was ridiculous.

Not only that, registration is free for personal use.

I like Avast 4 Home. It's also $0 (for non-commercial use), and its boot-time-scan works really well when other programs fail to remove something.